Reheating Food In An Air Fryer: Safe Or Not?

Air fryers are a great alternative to microwaves when it comes to reheating food. They can be used to reheat a wide range of foods, from pizza to chicken, and are particularly good at ensuring that your leftovers remain crispy. However, there are some foods that are not suitable for reheating in an air fryer, such as leafy greens, large cuts of meat, and dishes with creamy or cheesy sauces.

Reheating pizza in an air fryer

Yes, you can reheat food in an air fryer. It's a great way to ensure maximum flavour and texture.

Leftover pizza can be as good as new when reheated in an air fryer. You can recreate the melted cheese, crispy crust and fresh taste in a matter of minutes. It's also quicker than using a conventional oven, as it heats up rapidly using hot air that circulates evenly.

Here's how to do it:

• Preheat your air fryer to around 350°F (175°C).
• Line the air fryer basket or tray with aluminium foil, parchment paper or a disposable liner to prevent sticking.
• Place the pizza slices in the basket or on the tray, ensuring they are in a single layer, with spaces between each slice, so the hot air can circulate.
• Cook the pizza for around 3 minutes and then check on its progress. The slices are ready when the crust is crisp and the cheese is melted and bubbling. Thicker crusts and deep-dish pizzas may need a little longer.
• If you want your pizza to be extra crispy, try spraying your pizza base with a light cooking spray before putting it in the air fryer.
• Don't overcrowd the basket. Remember, you want the air to circulate around the pizza to make sure it gets nice and crisp.
• For the best outcome, only reheat the pizza once.

Tips:

• Remove any toppings that might burn easily (such as pepperoni, fresh herbs, thinly sliced vegetables, sundried tomatoes and olives) and replace them for the last minute or two of cooking.
• You don't need to preheat your air fryer, but if you choose not to, remember your pizza might take slightly longer to cook.
• If you're using parchment paper or foil liners, you don't need to buy the special perforated variety. Simply poke a few holes in them yourself to let the air through. Alternatively, a light spray of cooking oil on your baking sheet or drawer should prevent sticking.
• You can reheat frozen pizza in an air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for around 3 minutes, then place the pizza slices in the air fryer and cook for 8-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.

Reheating chicken in an air fryer

How to Reheat Chicken in an Air Fryer:

Firstly, you'll want to preheat your air fryer to around 200°C (350-400°F) for a few minutes. While the air fryer is warming up, you can prepare the chicken by placing it in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring the pieces are not crowded. This allows the hot air to circulate effectively.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the basket with the chicken inside and set the timer for around four to six minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken and your air fryer model. After a few minutes, check on the chicken and turn it over if needed to ensure even heating.

Tips for Perfectly Reheated Chicken:

• Coat the chicken with cooking spray before reheating to prevent it from drying out and enhance crispiness.
• Apply a sauce after a few minutes of heating to add moisture and flavour.
• Use a thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. The USDA recommends a temperature of 165°F as safe for consumption.
• Avoid covering the chicken while reheating to allow for proper airflow.
• If desired, brush the chicken with oil or use cooking spray to crisp it up, although this is not necessary as air fryers cook food without oil.
• Only reheat as much chicken as you will consume to avoid reheating multiple times.

Foods to Avoid Reheating in an Air Fryer:

While air fryers are great for reheating chicken, there are some foods that are not suitable for reheating in this appliance. These include:

• Leafy greens like spinach or arugula, as they can fly around and land on the heating vents.
• Whole roasts, such as roast beef or whole chicken. However, slicing them first and then reheating in the air fryer is a good alternative.
• Cheese without a coating, as it will melt and drip through the basket. Grilling cheeses like halloumi are an exception.
• Soups, stews, pasta, and rice are not ideal for reheating in an air fryer, although it is possible.

Benefits of Reheating Chicken in an Air Fryer:

• Quick and even heating, resulting in juicy and tender chicken.
• Retains the original taste and flavour of the dish.
• Healthier alternative to microwaving or oven heating.
• Crispy on the outside while remaining moist and juicy on the inside.
• Suitable for various types of chicken, including rotisserie, fried, grilled, or baked.

Reheating steak in an air fryer

Preparation:

• Take the steak out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature. This helps ensure even reheating.
• Pat the steak dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture, which is crucial for a crispy exterior.
• Reseason the steak with a light sprinkle of salt, pepper, and your favourite steak seasoning to enhance the flavours.

Air Frying:

• Preheat your air fryer to around 350°F (175-180°C). This step is important as it prepares the cooking environment for even heating.
• Place the steaks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring there is no overcrowding for proper air circulation.
• Set the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and adjust the time depending on your steak's thickness and desired doneness. For a medium-rare to medium steak, 3-4 minutes per side is a good starting point.
• Halfway through the process, flip the steaks to ensure uniform cooking. Keep a close eye on them to prevent overcooking.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Aim for 130°F (54°C) for medium-rare, 140°F (60°C) for medium, and 150°F (66°C) for medium-well.
• Once your steak is done to your liking, remove it from the air fryer, let it rest briefly, and then slice it.

Tips:

• The air fryer is ideal for reheating steak as it uses convection cooking, circulating hot air to heat the food evenly and maintain moisture.
• To prevent drying out your steak, you can brush it with olive oil or butter before placing it in the air fryer.
• The exact time will depend on the thickness of your steak and your desired level of doneness, so keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking.
• Always let the steak rest for a moment after reheating before slicing or serving.

Reheating French fries in an air fryer

Yes, you can reheat French fries in an air fryer! It's an excellent and easy way to give your fries that fresh-from-the-fryer crunch. Here's what you need to do:

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Some sources suggest preheating to 325°F, but it's not always necessary. Preheating may help you achieve crispier fries as the air fryer will already be at the desired temperature when you start the reheating process.

Next, place your leftover fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap or overcrowd the basket. This is important as it allows hot air to circulate, ensuring the fries cook evenly and crisp up. If you have a lot of fries, you may need to reheat them in batches.

Then, set the temperature and cook time. A temperature of 325°F to 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes should be sufficient. Thicker-cut fries may need a little longer.

Once the time is up, open the air fryer, remove the tray, give the fries a shake, and taste one. If they're not yet hot and crispy, place them back in the air fryer and cook for another minute or so. You can also add herbs and spices to amp up the flavor. However, it's best to spray the fries with oil before adding seasonings to prevent them from flying off during the cooking process.

And that's it! You now have hot and crispy French fries that taste just like they came out of the fryer. Enjoy!

Reheating a burger in an air fryer

Step 1: Remove the burgers from the refrigerator

Take the leftover burgers out of the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. This will help them reheat more evenly.

Step 2: Prepare the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 300-350°F (150-180°C). If you are in a hurry, you can skip preheating, but you may need to add a little extra cooking time.

Step 3: Place the burgers in the air fryer

Place the burgers in the air fryer basket or on an air fryer tray. Make sure to leave space between the burgers for optimal airflow. If you are reheating fast-food burgers, you may want to remove any toppings such as lettuce and tomato, as these will get slightly cooked.

Step 4: Reheat the burgers

Reheat the burgers for 2-5 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 160-165°F (74-76°C). Use a digital meat thermometer to check the temperature.

Step 5: Add cheese (optional)

If you are reheating cheeseburgers, you can add a slice of cheese before reheating, or add it during the last minute of cooking.

Step 6: Reheat the buns

Bread can get overly crisp in the air fryer, so it is best to reheat the buns separately. Wrap them in aluminum foil and place them in the air fryer for about 3 minutes at 300°F (150°C).

Step 7: Assemble and serve

Once the burgers and buns are hot, it's time to assemble your burger and add your favourite toppings and condiments.

And that's it! You can now enjoy your juicy, freshly reheated burger.

Note: Cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of your burgers, so keep an eye on them to ensure they don't dry out or burn.

Frequently asked questions